DNA Encoding a Plant Lipase, Transgenic Plants and a Method for Controlling Senescence in Plants

ABSTRACT

Regulation of expression of senescence in plants is achieved by integration of a gene or gene fragment encoding senescence-induced lipase into the plant genome in antisense orientation. The carnation and  Arabidopsis  genes encoding senescence-induced lipase are identified and the nucleotide sequences are used to modify senescence in transgenic plants.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/597,774, which is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 09/250,280 which is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 09/105,812, filed Jun. 26, 1998, and incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to, polynucleotides which encode plant polypeptides and which exhibit senescence-induced expression, transgenic plants containing the polynucleotides in antisense orientation and methods for controlling senescence in plants. More particularly, the present invention relates to plant lipase genes whose expression is induced by the onset of senescence and the use of the lipase gene to control senescence in plants.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Senescence is the terminal phase of biological development in the life of a plant. It presages death and occurs at various levels of biological organization including the whole plant, organs, flowers and fruit, tissues and individual cells.

Cell membrane deterioration is an early and fundamental feature of senescence. Metabolism of lipids, in particular membrane lipids, is one of several biochemical manifestations of cellular senescence. Rose petals, for example, sustain an increase in acyl hydrolase activity as senescence progresses that is accompanied by a loss of membrane function (Borochov, et al., Plant Physiol., 1982, 69, 296-299). Cell membrane deterioration is an early and characteristic feature of senescence engendering increased permeability, loss of ionic gradients and decreased function of key membrane proteins such as ion pumps (Brown, et al., Plant Physiol.: A Treatise, Vol. X. Academic Press, 1991, pp. 227-275). Much of this decline in membrane structural and functional integrity can be attributed to lipase-mediated phospholipid metabolism. Loss of lipid phosphate has been demonstrated for senescing flower petals, leaves, cotyledons and ripening fruit (Thompson, J. E., Senescence and Aging in Plants, Academic Press, San Diego, 1988, pp. 51-83), and this appears to give rise to major alterations in the molecular organization of the membrane bilayer with advancing senescence that lead to impairment of cell function. In particular, studies with a number of senescing plant tissues have provided evidence for lipid phase separations in membranes that appear to be attributable to an accumulation of lipid metabolites in the membrane bilayer (McKersie and Thompson, 1979, Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 508: 197-212; Chia, et al., 1981, Plant Physiol., 67:415-420). There is growing evidence that much of the metabolism of lipids in senescing tissue is achieved through senescence-specific changes in gene expression (Buchanan-Wollaston, V., J. Exp. Bot., 1997, 307:181-199).

The onset of senescence can be induced by different factors both internal and external. For example, ethylene plays a role in many plants in a variety of plant processes such as seed germination, seedling development, fruit ripening and flower senescence. Ethylene production in plants can also be associated with trauma induced by mechanical wounding, chemicals, stress (such as produced by temperature and water amount variations), and by disease. Ethylene has been implicated in the regulation of leaf senescence in many plants, but evidence obtained with transgenic plants and ethylene response mutants has indicated that, although ethylene has an effect on senescence, it is not an essential regulator of the process. In many plants ethylene seems to have no role in fruit ripening or senescence. For example in the ripening of fruits of non-climacteric plants such as strawberry, in senescence of some flowers such as day lilies and in leaf senescence in some plants, such as Arabidopsis, and in particular, in the monocots there is no requirement for ethylene signaling (Smart, C. M., 1994, New Phytology, 126:419-448; Valpuesta, et al., 1995, Plant Mol. Biol., 28:575-582).

External factors that induce premature initiation of senescence include environmental stresses such as temperature, drought, poor light or nutrient supply, as well as pathogen attack. As in the case of natural (age-related) senescence, environmental stress-induced senescence is characterized by a loss of cellular membrane integrity. Specifically, exposure to environmental stress induces electrolyte leakage reflecting membrane damage (Sharom, et al., 1994, Plant Physiol., 105:305-308; Wright and Simon, 1973, J. Exp. Botany, 24:400-411; Wright, M., 1974, Planta, 120:63-69; and Eze et al., 1986, Physiologia Plantarum, 68:323-328), a decline in membrane phospholipid levels (Wright, M., 1974, Planta, 120:63-69) and lipid phase transitions (Sharom, et al., 1994, Plant Physiol., 105:305-308), all of which can be attributed to the action of lipase. Plant tissues exposed to environmental stress also produce ethylene, commonly known as stress ethylene (Buchanan-Wollaston, V., 1997, J. Exp. Botany, 48:181-199; Wright, M., 1974, Planta, 120:63-69). As noted above, ethylene is known to cause senescence in some plants.

Membrane deterioration leading to leakage is also a seminal feature of seed aging, and there is evidence that this too reflects deesterification of fatty acids from membrane phospholipids (McKersie, B. D., Senarata, T., Walker, M. A., Kendall, E. J. and Hetherington, P. R. In: Senescence and Aging in Plants, Ed. L. D. Nooden and A. C. Leoopold, academic Press, 1988. PP 441-464).

Presently, there is no widely applicable method for controlling onset of senescence caused by either internal or external, e.g., environmental stress, factors. At present, the technology for controlling senescence and increasing the shelf-life of fresh, perishable plant produce, such as fruits, flowers and vegetables relies primarily upon reducing ethylene biosynthesis. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,875 discloses transgenic geranium plants which exhibit prolonged shelf-life due to reduction in levels of ethylene resulting from the expression of one of three 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase genes in antisense orientation. Consequently, this technology is applicable to only a limited range of plants that are ethylene-sensitive.

The shelf-life of some fruits is also extended by reducing ethylene biosynthesis, which causes ripening to occur more slowly. Since senescence of these fruits is induced after ripening, the effect of reduced ethylene biosynthesis on shelf-life is indirect. Another approach used to delay fruit ripening is by altering cellular levels of polygalacturonase, a cell-wall softening enzyme that is synthesized during the early stages of ripening. This approach is similar to controlling ethylene biosynthesis in that it, too, only indirectly affects senescence and again, is only applicable to a narrow range of plants.

Thus, there is a need for a method of controlling senescence in plants which is applicable to a wide variety of plants. It is therefore of interest to develop senescence modulating technologies that are applicable to all types of plants, regardless of ethylene sensitivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is based on the discovery and cloning of a full length cDNA clone encoding a carnation senescence-induced lipase and a full-length cDNA clone encoding Arabidopsis thaliana senescence-induced lipase. The nucleotide sequences and corresponding amino acid sequences for the senescence-induced lipase genes are disclosed herein. The nucleotide sequence of the carnation senescence-induced lipase gene has been successfully used as a heterologous probe to detect corresponding genes or RNA transcripts in several plants that are similarly regulated.

The invention provides a method for genetic modification of plants to control the onset of senescence, either age-related senescence or environmental stress-induced senescence. The senescence-induced lipase nucleotide sequences of the invention, fragments thereof, or combinations of such fragments, are introduced into a plant cell in reverse orientation to inhibit expression of the endogenous senescence-induced lipase gene, thereby reducing the level of endogenous senescence-induced lipase and altering senescence in the transformed plant.

Using the methods of the invention, transgenic plants are generated and monitored for growth and development. Plants or detached parts of plants (e.g., cuttings, flowers, vegetables, fruits, seeds or leaves) exhibiting prolonged life or shelf life with respect to plant growth, flowering, reduced fruit spoilage, reduced seed aging and/or reduced yellowing of leaves due to reduction in the level of senescence-induced lipase are selected as desired products having improved properties including reduced leaf yellowing, reduced petal abscission, reduced fruit spoilage during shipping and storage. These superior plants are propagated. Similarly, plants exhibiting increased resistance to environmental stress, e.g., decreased susceptibility to low temperature (chilling), drought, infection, etc., are selected as superior products.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an isolated DNA molecule encoding senescence-induced lipase, wherein the DNA molecule hybridizes with SEQ ID NO:1, or a functional derivative of the isolated DNA molecule which hybridizes with SEQ ID NO:1. In one embodiment of the invention, the isolated DNA molecule has the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, i.e., 100% complementarity (sequence identity) to SEQ ID NO:1. In another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the isolated DNA molecule contains the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:4.

The invention is also directed to an isolated DNA molecule encoding senescence-induced lipase, wherein the DNA molecule hybridizes with SEQ ID NO:18, or a functional derivative of the isolated DNA molecule which hybridizes with SEQ ID NO:18. In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the isolated DNA molecule has the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:18, i.e., 100% complementarity (sequence identity) to SEQ ID NO:18. In another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the isolated DNA molecule contains the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:19.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided an isolated protein encoded by a DNA molecule as described herein above, or a functional derivative thereof. A preferred protein has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, or is a functional derivative thereof.

Also provided herein is an antisense oligonucleotide or polynucleotide encoding an RNA molecule which is complementary to at least a portion of an RNA transcript of the DNA molecule described hereinabove, wherein the RNA molecule hybridizes with the RNA transcript such that expression of endogenous senescence-induced lipase is altered. The antisense oligonucleotide or polynucleotide can be full length or preferably has about six to about 100 nucleotides.

The antisense oligonucleotide or polynucleotide is substantially complementary to a corresponding portion of one strand of a DNA molecule encoding senescence-induced lipase, wherein the DNA molecule encoding senescence-induced lipase hybridizes with SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:18 or both, or is substantially complementary to a corresponding portion of an RNA sequence encoded by the DNA molecule encoding senescence-induced lipase. In one embodiment of the invention, the antisense oligonucleotide or polynucleotide is substantially complementary to a corresponding portion of one strand of the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:18 or both or the RNA transcript encoded by SEQ ID NO:1. In another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotide is substantially complementary to a corresponding portion of about 100 to about 200 nucleotides of the 5′ non-coding portion or 3′-end portion of one strand of a DNA molecule encoding senescence-induced lipase, wherein the DNA molecule hybridizes with SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:18 or both. In another embodiment, the antisense oligo- or polynucleotide is substantially complementary to a corresponding portion of the open reading frame of one strand of the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO:4 or the RNA transcript encoded by SEQ ID NO:4.

The invention is further directed to a vector for transformation of plant cells, comprising

(a) antisense nucleotide sequences substantially complementary to (1) a corresponding portion of one strand of a DNA molecule encoding senescence-induced lipase, wherein the DNA molecule encoding senescence-induced lipase hybridizes with SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:18 or both or (2) a corresponding portion of an RNA sequence encoded by the DNA molecule encoding senescence-induced lipase; and

(b) regulatory sequences operatively linked to the antisense nucleotide sequences such that the antisense nucleotide sequences are expressed in a plant cell into which it is transformed.

The regulatory sequences include a promoter functional in the transformed plant cell, which promoter may be inducible or constitutive. Optionally, the regulatory sequences include a polyadenylation signal.

The invention also provides a plant cell transformed with the vector as described above, a plantlet or mature plant generated from such a cell, or a plant part of such a plantlet or plant.

The present method is further directed to a method of producing a plant having a reduced level of senescence-induced lipase compared to an unmodified plant, comprising:

(1) transforming a plant with a vector as described above;

(2) allowing the plant to grow to at least a plantlet stage;

(3) assaying the transformed plant or plantlet for altered senescence-induced lipase activity and/or altered senescence and/or altered environmental stress-induced senescence and/or ethylene-induced senescence; and

(4) selecting and growing a plant having altered senescence-induced lipase activity and/or altered senescence and/or altered environmental stressed-induced senescence or ethylene-induced senescence compared to an nom-transformed plant.

A plant produced as above, or progeny, hybrids, clones or plant parts preferably exhibit reduced senescence-induced lipase expression and delayed senescence and/or delayed stress-induced senescence or ethylene-induced senescence.

This invention is further directed to a method of inhibiting expression of endogenous senescence-induced lipase in a plant cell, said method comprising:

(1) integrating into the genome of a plant a vector comprising

-   -   (A) antisense nucleotide sequences complementary to (i) a         corresponding portion of one strand of a DNA molecule encoding         endogenous senescence-induced lipase, wherein the DNA molecule         encoding the endogenous senescence-induced lipase hybridizes         with SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:18 or both, or (ii) a corresponding         portion of an RNA sequence encoded by the endogenous         senescence-induced lipase gene; and     -   (B) regulatory sequences operatively linked to the antisense         nucleotide sequences such that the antisense nucleotide         sequences are expressed; and

(2) growing said plant, whereby said antisense nucleotide sequences are transcribed and the transcript binds to said endogenous RNA whereby expression of said senescence-induced lipase gene is inhibited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the derived amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:2) encoded by the senescence-induced lipase cDNA clone (SEQ ID NO:1) obtained from a carnation flower cDNA library. Consensus motifs within the amino acid sequence are as follows: single underline, amidation site; dotted underline, protein kinase C phosphorylation site; double underline, N-myristoylation site; box border, cAMP phosphorylation site; shadow box, casein kinase II phosphorylation site; cross-hatched box, consensus sequence of lipase family; and dotted box, N-glycosylation site.

FIG. 2 depicts the derived full length carnation petal senescence-induced lipase amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:2) in alignment with partial sequences of lipase-like proteins. Carlip, full length sequence of carnation petal senescence-induced lipase (SEQ ID NO:11); arlip, partial sequence of lipase-like protein from Arabidopsis thaliana (Gen Bank Accession No. AL021710) (SEQ ID NO:12); ipolip, partial sequence of a lipase-like sequence from Ipomea (Gen Bank Accession No. U55867) (SEQ ID NO:13); arlipi, partial sequence of lipase-like protein from Arabidopsis thaliana (Gen Bank Accession No. U93215) (SEQ ID NO:14). Identical amino acids among three or four of the sequences are boxed.

FIG. 3 shows a Western blot analysis of the fusion protein expression product obtained from carnation lipase cDNA expressed in E. coli. The Western blot was probed with antibodies to the senescence-induced lipase protein. Lane 1, maltose binding protein; lane 2, fusion protein consisting of carnation lipase fused through a proteolytic (Factor Xa) cleavage site to maltose binding protein cDNA; lane 3, fusion protein partially cleaved with Factor Xa into free lipase protein (50.2 kDa) and free maltose-binding protein.

FIG. 4 is a Northern blot analysis of RNA isolated from carnation flower petals at different stages of development. FIG. 4A is the ethidium bromide stained gel of total RNA. Each lane contained 10 μg RNA. FIG. 4B is an autoradiograph of the Northern blot probed with ³²P-dCTP-labelled full length carnation senescence-induced lipase cDNA.

FIG. 5 is an in situ demonstration of lipolytic acyl hydrolase, i.e., lipase activity of the protein product obtained by over expression of the carnation senescence-induced lipase cDNA in E. coli. mal, E. coli cells containing maltose binding protein alone in a basal salt medium; mLip, E. coli cells containing the fusion protein consisting of the carnation senescence-induced lipase fused with maltose binding protein in basal salt medium; 40 mal/40 mLip, E. coli cells containing maltose binding protein alone [mal] or the lipase-maltose binding protein fusion product [mLip] in basal salt medium supplemented with Tween 40; 60 mal/60 mLip, E. coli cells containing maltose binding protein alone [mal] or the lipase-maltose binding protein fusion product [mLip] in basal salt medium supplemented with Tween 60.

FIG. 6A illustrates a restriction enzyme map of the open reading frame of the carnation senescence-induced lipase. The numbers refer to nucleotides in the open reading frame.

FIG. 6B is a Southern blot analysis of carnation genomic DNA digested with various restriction enzymes and probed with carnation senescence-induced lipase cDNA.

FIG. 7 is the nucleotide sequence of the carnation senescence-induced lipase cDNA clone (SEQ ID NO:1). Solid underlining, non-coding sequence of the senescence-induced lipase cDNA; non-underlined sequenced is the open reading frame.

FIG. 8 is the amino acid sequence of the carnation senescence-induced lipase cDNA (SEQ ID NO:2).

FIG. 9A is a Northern blot analysis showing the expression of the carnation lipase in stage II petals that have been exposed to 0.5 ppm ethylene for 15 hours. FIG. 9A is an ethidium bromide stained gel showing that each of the lanes was loaded with a constant amount of carnation RNA (petals: lanes 1 and 2; leaves: lanes 3 and 4; +, ethylene treated; −, untreated). FIG. 9B is an autoradiogram of a Northern blot of the gel in FIG. 9A probed with labelled full length carnation petal senescence-induced lipase cDNA.

FIG. 10 is a partial nucleotide sequence of tomato leaf genomic senescence-induced lipase (SEQ ID NO:6) and the corresponding deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:17). The conserved lipase consensus motif is shaded; the sequences of the primers used to generate the genomic fragment are each underlined.

FIG. 11 is a bar graph showing the effects of chilling on membrane leakiness. Tomato plants were chilled at 8° for 48 hours and then rewarmed to room temperature. Diffusate leakage (μMhos) from leaf disks was measured for control plants, which had not been chilled, and for chilled plants for 6 and 24 hour periods.

FIG. 12 is a Northern blot analysis of tomato leaf RNA isolated from plants that had been chilled at 8° C. for 48 hours and rewarmed to ambient temperature for 24 hours. FIG. 12A is the ethidium bromide stained gel of total leaf RNA. FIG. 12B is an autoradiograph of the Northern blot probed with ³²P-dCTP-labelled full length carnation senescence-induced lipase cDNA.

FIG. 13 is a partial nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:15) and corresponding deduced amino acid sequence of an Arabidopsis EST (GenBank Acct: N38227) (SEQ ID NO:16) that is 55.5% identical over a 64 amino acid region with the carnation senescence-induced lipase. The conserved lipase consensus motif is shaded.

FIG. 14 is the nucleotide (top) (SEQ ID No:18) and derived amino acid sequence (bottom) (SEQ ID NO:19) of the full-length Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase gene.

FIG. 15 is a Northern blot of total RNA isolated from leaves of Arabidopsis plants at various stages (lane 1, two week-old plants; lane 2, three week-old plants; lane 3, four week-old plants; lane 4, five week-old plants; lane 5, six week-old plants) probed with ³²P-dCTP-labelled full-length Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase. The autoradiograph is at the top (15A) and the ethidium bromide stained gel below (15B).

FIG. 16 is a Northern blot of total RNA isolated from leaves of three week-old Arabidopsis plants treated with 50 μM ethephon (a source of ethylene) and probed with ³²P-dCTP-labelled full-length Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase. The autoradiograph is at the top (16A) and the ethidium bromide stained gel below (16B).

FIG. 17 is a photograph of 4.6 week-old Arabidopsis wild-type plants (left) and transgenic plants (right) expressing the full-length Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase gene in antisense orientation showing increased leaf size in the transgenic plants.

FIG. 18 is a photograph of 6.3 week-old Arabidopsis wild-type plants (left) and transgenic plants (right) expressing the full-length Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase gene in antisense orientation showing increased leaf size and delayed leaf senescence in the transgenic plants.

FIG. 19 is a photograph of 7 week-old Arabidopsis wild-type plants (left) and transgenic plants (right) expressing the full-length Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase gene in antisense orientation showing increased leaf size in the transgenic plants.

FIG. 20 is a graph showing the increase in seed yield in three T₁ transgenic Arabidopsis plant lines expressing the senescence-induced lipase gene in antisense orientation. Seed yied is expressed as volume of seed. SE for n=30 is shown for wild-type plants.

FIG. 21 is a Western blot of total protein isolated from leaves of four week-old Arabidopsis wild-type plants and corresponding transgenic plants expressing the full-length senescence-induced lipase gene in antisense orientation. (Lanes 1 and 2 were loaded with 9 μg of protein, and lanes 3 and 4 were loaded with 18 μg of protein). The blot was probed with antibody raised against the Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase protein. The expression of the senescence-induced lipase is reduced in all transgenic plants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Methods and compositions are provided for altering the expression of senescence-induced lipase gene(s) in plant cells. Alteration of expression of the senescence-induced lipase gene(s) in plants results in delayed onset of senescence and improved resistance to environmental stress, thus extending the plant shelf-life and/or growth period.

A full length cDNA sequence encoding a carnation lipase gene exhibiting senescence-induced expression has been isolated from a cDNA library made from RNA of senescing petals of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) flowers. Polynucleotide probes corresponding to selected regions of the isolated carnation flower lipase cDNA sequence as well as the full length carnation lipase cDNA were used to determine the presence of mRNA encoding the lipase gene in senescing carnation leaves, ripening tomato fruit and senescing green bean leaves, as well as environmentally stressed (chilled) tomato leaves. Primers designed from the carnation lipase cDNA were used to generate a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product using tomato leaf genomic DNA as template. The PCR product contains a partial open reading frame which encodes a partial protein sequence including the conserved lipase consensus motif, ITFTGHSLGA (SEQ ID NO:3). The tomato nucleotide sequence has 53.4% sequence identity with the carnation senescence-induced lipase sequence and 43.5% identity with Arabidopsis lipase sequence. The Arabidopsis lipase sequence has 44.3% identity with the carnation nucleotide sequence.

The carnation senescence-induced lipase gene of the present invention was isolated by screening a cDNA expression library prepared from senescing carnation petals with antibodies raised against cytosolic lipid-protein particles, a source of the carnation lipase. A positive full-length cDNA clone corresponding to the carnation senescence-induced lipase gene was obtained and sequenced. The nucleotide sequence of the senescence-induced lipase cDNA clone is shown in SEQ ID NO:1. The cDNA clone encodes a 447 amino acid polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2) having a calculated molecular mass of 50.2 kDa. Expression of the cDNA clone in E. coli yielded a protein of the expected molecular weight that exhibits acyl hydrolase activity, i.e., the expressed protein hydrolyzes p-nitrophenylpalmitate, phospholipid and triacylglycerol. Based on the expression pattern of the enzyme in developing carnation flowers and the activity of the protein, it is involved in senescence.

An Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase gene of the present invention was also isolated by PCR using a senescing Arabidopsis leaf cDNA library as template in the reaction. The nucleotide and derived amino acid sequence of the Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase gene is shown in FIG. 14 (SEQ ID NO:18) Based on the expression pattern of the lipase gene in developing plants, it is involved in senescence.

Northern blots of carnation petal total RNA probed with the full length carnation cDNA show that the expression of the senescence-induced lipase gene is significantly induced just prior to the onset of natural senescence (FIG. 4). Northern blot analyses also demonstrate that the senescence-induced lipase gene is induced by environmental stress conditions, e.g., chilling (FIG. 12) and ethylene (FIGS. 4 and 9), which is known to be produced in response to environmental stress. The Northern blot analyses show that the presence of carnation senescence-induced lipase mRNA is significantly higher in senescing (developmental stage IV) than in young stage I, II and III carnation petals. Furthermore, ethylene-stimulated stage II flowers also show higher senescence-induced lipase gene expression. Similarly, plants that have been exposed to chilling temperatures and returned to ambient temperature also show induced expression of the senescence-induced lipase gene coincident with the development of chilling injury symptoms (e.g., leakiness) (FIGS. 11 and 12).

Expression of the Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase gene is similarly regulated. Northern blot analysis of total RNA from leaves of Arabidopsis plants at various stages of development show that the lipase gene is upregulated coincident with the onset of leaf senescence. (FIG. 15) Also, like the carnation senescence-induced lipase gene, the Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase gene is upregulated by treatment with ethylene, a plant hormone that induces leaf senescence. (FIG. 16)

The overall pattern of gene expression in various plants, e.g., carnation, green beans, tomato, Arabidopsis, and various plant tissues, e.g., leaves, fruit and flowers, demonstrates that the lipase genes of the invention are involved in the initiation of senescence in these plants and plant tissues. Thus, it is expected that by substantially repressing or altering the expression of the senescence-induced lipase genes in plant tissues, senescence, deterioration and spoilage can be delayed, increasing the shelf-life of perishable fruits, flowers and vegetables. This can be achieved by producing transgenic plants in which the lipase cDNA or an oligonucleotide fragment thereof is expressed in the antisense configuration in fruits, flowers, vegetable, agronomic crop plants and forest species, preferably using a constitutive promoter such as the CaMV 35S promoter, or using a tissue-specific or senescence-inducible promoter.

The carnation senescence-induced lipase gene is a single copy gene. Southern blot analysis of carnation genomic DNA cut with various restriction enzymes that do not recognize sequences within the open reading frame of the senescence-induced lipase cDNA was carried out. The restriction enzyme-digested genomic DNA was probed with ³²P-dCTP-labelled full length cDNA (SEQ ID NO:1). Under high stringency hybridization conditions, only one restriction fragment hybridizes to the cDNA clone (68° C. for both hybridization and washing; washing buffer: 0.2%×SSC, 0.1% SDS). Thus, the carnation senescence-induced lipase gene is a single copy gene (FIG. 6). The fact that this gene is not a member of a multigene family in carnations strongly suggests that it is a single copy gene in other plants.

Knowledge of the complete nucleotide sequence of the carnation senescence-induced lipase gene or Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase gene is sufficient for the isolation of the senescence-induced lipase gene(s) from various other plant species. Indeed, as demonstrated herein, oligonucleotide primers based on the carnation cDNA sequence have been successfully used to generate tomato leaf senescence-induced lipase gene fragments by polymerase chain reactions using tomato leaf genomic DNA as template.

The cloned senescence-induced lipase gene(s) or fragment(s) thereof, alone or in combination, when introduced in reverse orientation (antisense) under control of a constitutive promoter, such as the fig wart mosaic virus 35S promoter, the cauliflower mosaic virus promoter CaMV35S or the MAS promoter, can be used to genetically modify plants and alter senescence in the modified plants. Selected antisense sequences from other plants which share sufficient sequence identity with the carnation senescence-induced lipase gene can be used to achieve similar genetic modification. One result of the genetic modification is a reduction in the amount of endogenous translatable senescence-induced lipase-encoding mRNA. Consequently, the amount of senescence-induced lipase produced in the plant cells is reduced, thereby reducing the amount of cell membrane damage and cell leakage, e.g., reduced leaf, fruit and/or flower senescence and spoilage, due to aging or environmental stress.

For example, Arabidopsis plants transformed with vectors that express the full-length Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase gene in antisense orientation, under regulation of double 35S promoter exhibit larger leaf size and overall larger plant growth as compared to wild-type plants as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. These plants also demonstrate delayed leaf senescence, as shown in FIG. 19.

The effect of reduced expression of the senescence-induced lipase gene brought about by expressing the full-length lipase gene in antisense orientation in transgenic Arabidopsis plants is also seen as an increase in seed yield in the transformed plants. Arabidopsis plant lines expressing the full-length senescence-induced lipase gene produce up to about two to three times more seed than wild type plants. (FIG. 20)

That the effects observed in transgenic plants on biomass, leaf senescence and seed yield are due to a decrease in senescence-induced lipase in these plants is shown in FIG. 21. The transgenic plants of the invention exhibit significantly reduced expression of senescence-induced lipase in comparison to wild-type plants.

Thus, the methods and sequences of the present invention can be used to delay plant spoilage, including leaf or fruit spoilage, as well as to increase plant biomass and seed yield, and in general, alter senesence in plants.

The isolated nucleotide sequences of this invention can be used to isolate substantially complementary senescence-induced lipase nucleotide sequence from other plants or organisms. These sequences can, in turn, be used to transform plants and thereby alter senescence of the transformed plants in the same manner as shown with the use of the isolated nucleotide sequences shown herein.

The genetic modifications observed with transformation of plants with senescence-induced lipase, functional fragments thereof or combinations thereof can effect a permanent change in levels of senescence-induced lipase in the plant and be propagated in offspring plants by selfing or other reproductive schemes. The genetically altered plant is used to produce a new line of plants wherein the alteration is stably transmitted from generation to generation. The present invention provides for the first time the appropriate DNA sequences which may be used to achieve a stable genetic modification of senescence in a wide range of different plants.

For the identification and isolation of the senescence-induced lipase gene, in general, preparation of plasmid DNA, restriction enzyme digestion, agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of protein, Southern blots, Northern blots, DNA ligation and bacterial transformation were carried out using conventional methods well-known in the art. See, for example, Sambrook, J. et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989. Techniques of nucleic acid hybridization are disclosed by Sambrook (Supra).

As used herein, the term “plant” refers to either a whole plant, a plant part, a plant cell or a group of plant cells. The type of plant which can be used in the method of the invention is not limited and includes, for example, ethylene-sensitive and ethylene-insensitive plants; fruit bearing plants such as apricots, apples, oranges, bananas, grapefruit, pears, tomatoes, strawberries, avocados, etc.; vegetables such as carrots, peas, lettuce, cabbage, turnips, potatoes, broccoli, asparagus, etc.; flowers such as carnations, roses, mums, etc.; and in general, any plant that can take up and express the DNA molecules of the present invention. It may include plants of a variety of ploidy levels, including haploid, diploid, tetraploid and polyploid.

A transgenic plant is defined herein as a plant which is genetically modified in some way, including but not limited to a plant which has incorporated heterologous or homologous senescence-induced lipase DNA or modified DNA or some portion of heterologous senescence-induced lipase DNA or homologous senescence-induced lipase DNA into its genome. The altered genetic material may encode a protein, comprise a regulatory or control sequence, or may be or include an antisense sequence or encode an antisense RNA which is antisense to the endogenous senescence-induced lipase DNA or mRNA sequence or portion thereof of the plant. A “transgene” or “transgenic sequence” is defined as a foreign gene or partial sequence which has been incorporated into a transgenic plant.

The term “hybridization” as used herein is generally used to mean hybridization of nucleic acids at appropriate conditions of stringency as would be readily evident to those skilled in the art depending upon the nature of the probe sequence and target sequences. Conditions of hybridization and washing are well known in the art, and the adjustment of conditions depending upon the desired stringency by varying incubation time, temperature and/or ionic strength of the solution are readily accomplished. See, for example, Sambrook, J. et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd edition, Cold spring harbor Press, Cold Spring harbor, N.Y., 1989. The choice of conditions is dictated by the length of the sequences being hybridized, in particular, the length of the probe sequence, the relative G-C content of the nucleic acids and the amount of mismatches to be permitted. Low stringency conditions are preferred when partial hybridization between strands that have lesser degrees of complementarity is desired. When perfect or near perfect complementarity is desired, high stringency conditions are preferred. For typical high stringency conditions, the hybridization solution contains 6×S.S.C., 0.01 M EDTA, 1×Denhardt's solution and 0.5% SDS. Hybridization is carried out at about 68° C. for about 3 to 4 hours for fragments of cloned DNA and for about 12 to about 16 hours for total eukaryotic DNA. For lower stringencies the temperature of hybridization is reduced to about 12° C. below the melting temperature (T_(M)) of the duplex. The T_(M) is known to be a function of the G-C content and duplex length as well as the ionic strength of the solution.

As used herein, the term “substantial sequence identity” or “substantial homology” is used to indicate that a nucleotide sequence or an amino acid sequence exhibits. substantial structural or functional equivalence with another nucleotide or amino acid sequence. Any structural or functional differences between sequences having substantial sequence identity or substantial homology will be de minimis; that is, they will not affect the ability of the sequence to function as indicated in the desired application. Differences may be due to inherent variations in codon usage among different species, for example. Structural differences are considered de minimis if there is a significant amount of sequence overlap or similarity between two or more different sequences or if the different sequences exhibit similar physical characteristics even if the sequences differ in length or structure. Such characteristics include for example, ability to hybridize under defined conditions, or in the case of proteins, immunological crossreactivity, similar enzymatic activity, etc.

Additionally, two nucleotide sequences are “substantially complementary” if the sequences have at least about 40 percent, more preferably, at least about 60 percent and most preferably about 90 percent sequence similarity between them. Two amino acid sequences are substantially homologous if they have at least 40%, preferably 70% similarity between the active portions of the polypeptides.

As used herein, the phrase “hybridizes to a corresponding portion” of a DNA or RNA molecule means that the molecule that hybridizes, e.g., oligonucleotide, polynucleotide, or any nucleotide sequence (in sense or antisense orientation) recognizes and hybridizes to a sequence in another nucleic acid molecule that is of approximately the same size and has enough sequence similarity thereto to effect hybridization under appropriate conditions. For example, a 100 nucleotide long antisense molecule from the 3′ coding or non-coding region of carnation lipase will recognize and hybridize to an approximately 100 nucleotide portion of a nucleotide sequence within the 3′ coding or non-coding region, respectively of the Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase gene or any other plant senescence-induced lipase gene so long as there is about 70% or more sequence similarity between the two sequences. It is to be understood that the size of the “corresponding portion” will allow for some mismatches in hybridization such that the “corresponding portion” may be smaller or larger than the molecule which hybridizes to it, for example 20-30% larger or smaller, preferably no more than about 12-15% larger or smaller.

The term “functional derivative” of a nucleic acid (or poly- or oligonucleotide) is used herein to mean a fragment, variant, homolog, or analog of the gene or nucleotide sequence encoding senescence-induced lipase. A functional derivative may retain at least a portion of the function of the senescence-induced lipase encoding DNA which permits its utility in accordance with the invention. Such function may include the ability to hybridize with native carnation senescence-induced lipase or substantially homologous DNA from another plant which encodes senescence-induced lipase or with an mRNA transcript thereof, or, in antisense orientation, to inhibit the transcription and/or translation of plant senescence-induced lipase mRNA, or the like.

A “fragment” of the gene or DNA sequence refers to any subset of the molecule, e.g., a shorter polynucleotide or oligonucleotide. A “variant” refers to a molecule substantially similar to either the entire gene or a fragment thereof, such as a nucleotide substitution variant having one or more substituted nucleotides, but which maintains the ability to hybridize with the particular gene or to encode mRNA transcript which hybridizes with the native DNA. A “homolog” refers to a fragment or variant sequence from a different plant genus or species. An “analog” refers to a non-natural molecule substantially similar to or functioning in relation to either the entire molecule, a variant or a fragment thereof.

By “altered expression” or “modified expression” of a gene, e.g., the senescence-induced lipase gene, is meant any process or result whereby the normal expression of the gene, for example, that expression occurring in an unmodified carnation or other plant, is changed in some way. As intended herein, alteration in gene expression is complete or partial reduction in the expression of the senescence-induced lipase gene, but may also include a change in the timing of expression, or another state wherein the expression of the senescence-induced lipase gene differs from that which would be most likely to occur naturally in an unmodified plant or cultivar. A preferred alteration is one which results in reduction of senescence-induced lipase production by the plant compared to production in an unmodified plant.

In producing a genetically altered plant in accordance with this invention, it is preferred to select individual plantlets or plants by the desired trait, generally reduced senescence-induced lipase expression or production. Expression of senescence-induced lipase can be quantitated, for example in a conventional immunoassay method using a specific antibody as described herein. Also, senescence-induced lipase enzymatic activity can be measured using biochemical methods as described herein.

In order for a newly inserted gene or DNA sequence to be expressed, resulting in production of the protein which it encodes, or in the case of antisense DNA, to be transcribed, resulting in an antisense RNA molecule, the proper regulatory elements should be present in proper location and orientation with respect to the gene or DNA sequence. The regulatory regions may include a promoter, a 5′-non-translated leader sequence and a 3′-polyadenylation sequence as well as enhancers and other regulatory sequences.

Promoter regulatory elements that are useful in combination with the senescence-induced lipase gene to generate sense or antisense transcripts of the gene include any plant promoter in general, and more particularly, a constitutive promoter such as the fig wart mosaic virus 35S promoter, double 35S promoter, the cauliflower mosaic virus promoter, CaMV35S promoter, or the MAS promoter, or a tissue-specific or senescence-induced promoter, such as the carnation petal GST1 promoter or the Arabidopsis SAG12 promoter (See, for example, J. C. Palaqui et al., Plant Physiol., 112:1447-1456 (1996); Morton et al., Molecular Breeding, 1:123-132 (1995); Fobert et al., Plant Journal, 6:567-577 (1994); and Gan et al., Plant Physiol., 113:313 (1997), incorporated herein by reference). Preferably, the promoter used in the present invention is a constitutive promoter.

Expression levels from a promoter which is useful for the present invention can be tested using conventional expression systems, for example by measuring levels of a reporter gene product, e.g., protein or mRNA in extracts of the leaves, flowers, fruit or other tissues of a transgenic plant into which the promoter/reporter have been introduced.

The present invention provides antisense oligonucleotides and polynucleotides complementary to the gene encoding carnation senescence-induced lipase, complementary to the gene encoding Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase or complementary to a gene or gene fragment from another plant, which hybridizes with the carnation or Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase gene under low to high stringency conditions. Such antisense oligonucleotides should be at least about six nucleotides in length to provide minimal specificity of hybridization and may be complementary to one strand of DNA or mRNA encoding senescence-induced lipase or a portion thereof, or to flanking sequences in genomic DNA which are involved in regulating senescence-induced lipase gene expression. The antisense oligonucleotide may be as large as 100 nucleotides and may extend in length up to and beyond the full coding sequence for which it is antisense. The antisense oligonucleotides can be DNA or RNA or chimeric mixtures of DNA and RNA or derivatives or modified versions thereof, single stranded or double stranded.

The action of the antisense oligonucleotide may result in alteration, primarily inhibition, of senescence-induced lipase gene expression in cells. For a general discussion of antisense see: Alberts, et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2nd ed., Garland Publishing, Inc. New York, N.Y. (1989, in particular pages 195-196, incorporated herein by reference).

The antisense oligonucleotide may be complementary to any portion of the senescence-induced lipase gene. In one embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotide may be between 6 and 100 nucleotides in length, and may be complementary to the 5′-non-coding sequence or 3′ end of the senescence-induced lipase sequence, for example. Antisense oligonucleotides primarily complementary to 5′-non-coding sequences are known to be effective inhibitors of expression of genes encoding transcription factors. Branch, M. A., Molec. Cell Biol., 13:4284-4290 (1993).

Preferred antisense oligonucleotides are substantially complementary to a corresponding portion of the mRNA encoding senescence-induced lipase. For example, introduction of the full length cDNA clone encoding senescence-induced lipase in an antisense orientation into a plant is expected to result in successful altered senescence-induced lipase gene expression. Moreover, introduction of partial sequences, targeted to specific portions of the senescence-induced lipase gene, can be equally effective.

The minimal amount of homology required by the present invention is that sufficient to result in sufficient complementarity to provide recognition of the specific target RNA or DNA and inhibition or reduction of its translation or function while not affecting function of other RNA or DNA molecules and the expression of other genes. While the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention comprise sequences complementary to at least a portion of an RNA transcript of the senescence-induced lipase gene, absolute complementarity, although preferred is not required. The ability to hybridize may depend on the length of the antisense oligonucleotide and the degree of complementarity. Generally, the longer the hybridizing nucleic acid, the more base mismatches with the senescence-induced lipase target sequence it may contain and still form a stable duplex. One skilled in the art can ascertain a tolerable degree of mismatch by use of standard procedures to determine the melting temperature of the hybridized complex, for example.

The antisense RNA oligonucleotides may be generated intracellularly by transcription from exogenously introduced nucleic acid sequences. The antisense molecule may be delivered to a cell by transformation or transfection or infection with a vector, such as a plasmid or virus into which is incorporated DNA encoding the antisense senescence-induced lipase sequence operably linked to appropriate regulatory elements, including a promoter. Within the cell the exogenous DNA sequence is expressed, producing an antisense RNA of the senescence-induced lipase gene.

Vectors can be plasmids, preferably, or may be viral or other vectors known in the art to replicate and express genes encoded thereon in plant cells or bacterial cells. The vector becomes chromosomally integrated such that it can be transcribed to produce the desired antisense senescence-induced lipase RNA. Such plasmid or viral vectors can be constructed by recombinant DNA technology methods that are standard in the art. For example, the vector may be a plasmid vector containing a replication system functional in a prokaryotic host and an antisense oligonucleotide or polynucleotide according to the invention. Alternatively, the vector may be a plasmid containing a replication system functional in Agrobacterium and an antisense oligonucleotide or polynucleotide according to the invention. Plasmids that are capable of replicating in Agrobacterium are well known in the art. See, Miki, et al., Procedures for Introducing Foreign DNA Into Plants, Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Eds. B. R. Glick and J. E. Thompson. CRC Press (1993), PP. 67-83.

The carnation lipase gene was cloned in the antisense orientation into a plasmid vector in the following manner. The pCD plasmid, which is constructed from a pUC18 backbone and contains the 35S promoter from cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) followed by a multiple cloning site and an octapine synthase termination sequence was used for cloning the carnation lipase gene. The pCd-lipase (antisense) plasmid was constructed by subcloning the full length carnation lipase gene in the antisense orientation into a Hind3 site and EcoR1 site of pCd. Similarly, a pCDΔ35S-GST1-lipase (antisense) plasmid was constructed by first subcloning a PCR amplified fragment (−703 to +19 bp) of the carnation Glutathione S Transferase 1 (GST1) promoter into the BamH1 and Sal1 sites of the pCd vector. The full length carnation lipase gene was then subcloned in the antisense orientation into the Hind3 and EcoR1 sites of the construct. Another plasmid, pGd35S-GST1-GUS plasmid, was constructed by first subcloning a PCR-amplified fragment (−703 to +19 bp) of the carnation Glutathione S-Transferase 1 (GST1) promoter into the BamH1 and Sal1 sites of the pCd vector. The reporter gene beta-glucuronidase (GUS) was then subcloned into the Sal1 and EcoRI sites of the construct. The pCd-35S²-lipase (antisense) plasmid was constructed by first subcloning a double 35S promoter (containing two copies of the CaMV 35S promoter in tandem) into the Sma1 and Hind3 sites of the pCd vector. The full length carnation lipase gene was then subcloned in the antisense orientation into the Hind3 and EcoR1 sites of the construct.

An oligonucleotide, preferably between about 6 and about 100 nucleotides in length and complementary to the target sequence of senescence-induced lipase, may be prepared by recombinant nucleotide technologies or may be synthesized from mononucleotides or shorter oligonucleotides, for example. Automated synthesizers are applicable to chemical synthesis of the oligo- and polynucleotides of the invention. Procedures for constructing recombinant nucleotide molecules in accordance with the present invention are disclosed in Sambrook, et al., In: Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989), which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Oligonucleotides which encode antisense RNA complementary to senescence-induced lipase sequence can be prepared using procedures well known to those in the art. Details concerning such procedures are provided in Maniatis, T. et al., Molecular mechanisms in the Control of Gene expression, eds., Nierlich, et al., eds., Acad. Press, N.Y. (1976).

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, inhibition of expression of endogenous plant senescence-induced lipase is the result of co-suppression through over-expression of an exogenous senescence-induced lipase gene or gene fragment introduced into the plant cell. In this embodiment of the invention, a vector encoding senescence-induced lipase in the sense orientation is introduced into the cells in the same manner as described herein for antisense molecules. Preferably, the senescence-induced lipase is operatively linked to a strong constitutive promoter, such as for example the fig wart mosaic virus promoter or CaMV35S.

Transgenic plants made in accordance with the present invention may be prepared by DNA transformation using any method of plant transformation known in the art. Plant transformation methods include direct co-cultivation of plants, tissues or cells with Agrobacterium tumerfaciens or direct infection (Miki, et al., Meth. in Plant Mol. Biol. and Biotechnology, (1993), p. 67-88); direct gene transfer into protoplasts or protoplast uptake (Paszkowski, et al., EMBO J., 12:2717 (1984); electroporation (Fromm, et al., Nature, 319:719 (1986); particle bombardment (Klein et al., BioTechnology, 6:559-563 (1988); injection into meristematic tissues of seedlings and plants (De LaPena, et al., Nature, 325:274-276 (1987); injection, into protoplasts of cultured cells and tissues (Reich, et al., BioTechnology, 4:1001-1004 (1986)).

Generally a complete plant is obtained from the transformation process. Plants are regenerated from protoplasts, callus, tissue parts or explants, etc. Plant parts obtained from the regenerated plants in which the expression of senescence-induced lipase is altered, such as leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds and the like are included in the definition of “plant” as used herein. Progeny, variants and mutants of the regenerated plants are also included in the definition of “plant.”

The present invention also provides carnation or Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase protein encoded by the cDNA molecules of the invention and proteins which cross-react with antibody to the carnation or Arabidopsis protein. Such proteins have the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No:2, shown in FIG. 1, share cross reactivity with antibodies to the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, have the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19 (shown in FIG. 14) or share cross reactivity with antibodies to the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO:19.

The carnation or Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase protein or functional derivatives thereof are preferably produced by recombinant technologies, optionally in combination with chemical synthesis methods. In one embodiment of the invention the senescence-induced lipase is expressed as a fusion protein consisting of the senescence-induced lipase fused with maltose binding protein. Expression of a clone encoding the recombinant fusion protein yields a fusion protein of the expected molecular weight that hydrolyzes p-nitrophenylpalmitate, phospholipid and triacylglycerol, which is an indicator of lipase activity. The recombinant senescence-induced lipase protein shows a predominant band in Western blot analyses after immunoblotting with antibody to carnation senescence-induced lipase. The free senescence-induced lipase (50.2 Kda), which is released by treatment of the fusion protein with the protease, factor Xa, also reacts with the senescence-induced lipase antibody in Western blot analysis (FIG. 3). A motif search of the senescence-induced lipase amino acid sequence shows the presence of a potential N-myristoylation site (FIG. 1) for the covalent attachment of myristate via an amide linkage (See Johnson, et al., Ann. Rev. Biochem., 63: 869-914 (1994); Towler, et al., Ann. Rev. Biochem., 57:67-99 (1988); and R. J. A. Grand, Biochem. J., 258:625-638 (1989). The protein motif search also showed that the carnation senescence-induced lipase contains a sequence, ITFAGHSLGA, (SEQ ID NO:4) which is the conserved lipase consensus sequence (Table 1). The conserved lipase consensus sequence from a variety of plants is shown in the table below.

TABLE 1 Plant Species conserved Lipase Sequence Carnation I T F A G H S L G A (SEQ ID NO: 4) Tomato I T F T G H S L G A (SEQ ID NO: 3) Arabidopsis I T T C G H S L G A (SEQ ID NO: 9) Ipomoea nil I T V T G H S L G S (SEQ ID NO: 10)

The senescence-induced lipase protein of the invention was shown to possess lipase activity in both in vitro and in situ assays. For in vitro measurements, p-nitrophenylpalmitate and soybean phospholipid (40% phosphatidylcholine and 60% other phospholipids) were used as substrates, and the products of the reactions, p-nitrophenol and free fatty acids, respectively, were measured spectrophotometrically (Pencreac'h and Baratti, 1996; Nixon and Chan, 1979; Lin et al., 1983). Lipase activity was also measured in vitro by gas chromatography using a modification of the method described by Nixon and Chan (1979) and Lin et al. (1983). The reaction mixture contained 100 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 2.5 mM substrate (trilinolein, soybean phospholipid or dilinoleylphosphatidylcholine) and enzyme protein (100 μg) in a final volume of 100 μl. The substrates were emulsified in 5% gum arabic prior to being added to the reaction mixture. To achieve this, the substrates were dissolved in chloroform, added to the gum arabic solution and emulsified by sonication for 30 s. After emulsification, the chloroform was evaporated by a stream of N₂. The reaction was carried out at 25° C. for varying periods of time up to 2 hours. The reaction mixture was then lipid-extracted, and the free fatty acids were purified by TLC, derivitized and quantified by GC (McKegney et al., 1995).

Lipolytic acyl hydrolase activity was measure in situ as described by Furukawa et al. (1983) and modified by Tsuboi et al. (1996). In this latter assay, E. coli transformed with the full length cDNA clone encoding senescence-induced lipase were grown in minimal salt medium supplemented with Tween 40 or Tween 60, both of which are long chain fatty acid esters, as the only source of carbon. Thus, carbon for bacterial growth was only available if the fatty acid esters were hydrolyzed by lipase. The finding that E. coli transformed with the scenescence-induced lipase cDNA grow in Tween 40- and Tween 60-basal medium after an initial lag phase, whereas control cultures of E. coli that were not transformed do not grow, confirms the lipase activity of the encoded recombinant protein (FIG. 5). That is, the senescence-induced lipase releases stearate (Tween 60) and palmitate (Tween 40) to obtain the necessary carbon for growth.

“Functional derivatives” of the senescence-induced lipase protein as described herein are fragments, variants, analogs, or chemical derivatives of senescence-induced lipase, which retain at least a portion of the senescence-induced lipase activity or immunological cross reactivity with an antibody specific for senescence-induced lipase. A fragment of the senescence-induced lipase protein refers to any subset of the molecule. Variant peptides may be made by direct chemical synthesis, for example, using methods well known in the art. An analog of senescence-induced lipase refers to a non-natural protein substantially similar to either the entire protein or a fragment thereof. Chemical derivatives of senescence-induced lipase contain additional chemical moieties not normally a part of the peptide G38 or peptide fragment. Modifications may be introduced into the senescence-induced lipase peptide or fragment thereof by reacting targeted amino acid residues of the peptide with an organic derivatizing agent that is capable of reacting with selected side chains or terminal residues.

A senescence-induced lipase protein or peptide according to the invention may be produced by culturing a cell transformed with a nucleotide sequence of this invention (in the sense orientation), allowing the cell to synthesize the protein and then isolating the protein, either as a free protein or as a fusion protein, depending on the cloning protocol used, from either the culture medium or from cell extracts. Alternatively, the protein can be produced in a cell-free system. Ranu, et al., Meth. Enzymol., 60:459-484, (1979).

Having now generally described the invention, the same will be more readily understood through reference to the following examples which are provided by way of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting to the present invention.

Example 1 Plant Materials Used to Isolate the Carnation Lipase cDNA

Carnation plants (Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. Improved white Sim) grown and maintained in a greenhouse were used to isolate the nucleotide sequence corresponding to the senescence-induced lipase gene. Flower tissue in the form of senescing flower petals (from different developmental stages) was collected in buffer or stored at −70° C. until used.

Cytosolic lipid particles were isolated from carnation flower petals harvested just before the onset of senescence. Carnation petals (25 g/150 ml buffer) were homogenized at 4° C. in homogenization buffer (50 mM Epps-0.25 M sorbitol pH 7.4, 10 mm EDTA, 2 mM EGTA, 1 mM PMSF, 1 mM benzamadine, 10 mm amino-n-caproic acid and 4% polyvinylpolypyrrolidone) for 45 seconds in an Omnimizer and for an additional minute in a Polytron homogenizer. The homogenate was filtered through four layers of cheesecloth, and the filtrate was centifuged at 10,000 g for twenty minutes at 4° C. The supernatant was centrifuged for one hour at 250,000 g to isolate microsomal membranes. The lipid particles were obtained from the post-microsomal supernatant by collecting the particles after floatation centrifugation by the method of Hudak and Thompson, (1997), Physiol. Plant., 114:705-713. The supernatant was made 10% (w/v) with sucrose, and 23 ml of the supernatant were poured into 60 Ti Beckman centrifuge tubes, overlayed with 1.5 ml isolation buffer and centrifuged at 305,000 g for 12 hours at 4° C. The particles were removed from the isolation buffer overlayer with a Pasteur pipette. Three ml of particle suspension were loaded onto a Sepharose G-25 column equilibrated with sterile PBS (10 mM sodium phosphate buffer pH 7.5 plus 0.85% sodium chloride) and the suspension was eluted with sterile PBS. The void volume containing the particles was eluted and concentrated using a Centricon-10 filter (available from Amicon) to a protein concentration of 600 μg. The lipid particles were then used to generate antibodies in rabbits inoculated with 300 μg of the particles. The IgG titer of the blood was tested by Western blot analysis.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) Isolation

Total RNA was isolated from petals of stage I, II, III or IV carnation flowers essentially as described by Chomczynski and Sachi, Anal. Biochem., 162:156-159 (1987). Briefly, 15 g of petal tissue were frozen in liquid nitrogen and homogenized for 30 seconds in buffer containing 4 M guanidinium thiocyanate, 25 mM sodium citrate, pH 7.0, 0.5% sarkosyl and 0.1 M β-mercaptoethanol. 150 ml water-saturated phenol, 30 ml of chloroform and 15 ml of 2 M NaOAc, pH 4.0 were added to the homogenized sample. The sample was centrifuged at 10,000 g for ten minutes and the aqueous phase removed and nucleic acids precipitated therefrom with 150 ml isopropanol. The sample was centrifuged for ten minutes at 5,000 g and the pellet was washed once with 30 ml of 4 M LiCl, extracted with 30 ml chloroform and precipitated with 30 ml isopropanol containing 0.2 M NaOAc, pH 5.0. The RNA was dissolved in DEPC-treated water and stored at −70° C.

PolyA⁺ mRNA was isolated from total RNA using the PolyA⁺ tract mRNA Isolation System available from Promega. PolyA⁺ mRNA was used as a template for cDNA synthesis using the ZAP Express° cDNA synthesis system available from Stratagene (La Jolla, Calif.)

Carnation Petal cDNA Library Screening

A cDNA library made using mRNA isolated from stage IV carnation petals was diluted to approximately 5×10⁶ PFU/ml and immunoscreened with lipid particle antiserum. Positive cDNA clones were recovered using the ExAssist° Helper Phage/SOLR strain system and recircularized in a pBluescript° phagemid (Stratagene). A stage III carnation petal cDNA library was also screened using a ³²P-labelled 19 base pair probe (5′-ACCTACTAGGTTCCGCGTC-3′) (SEQ ID NO:5). Positive cDNA clones were excised from the phages and recircularized into a pBK-CMV® (Stratagene) phagemid using the method in the manufacturer's instructions. The full length cDNA (1.53 kb fragment) was inserted into the pBK-CMV vector.

Arabidopsis Leaf cDNA Library Screening

A full-length cDNA clone (1338 bp) of the senescence-induced lipase gene from Arabidopsis thaliana was isolated by screening an Arabidopsis senescent leaf cDNA library. The probe used for screening the library was obtained by PCR using the scenescent leaf library as template. The PCR primers were designed from the genomic sequence (U93215) present in GenBank. The forward primer had the sequence 5′ ATG TCT AGA GAA GAT ATT GCG CGG CGA 3′ (SEQ ID NO:20) and the reverse primer had the sequence 5′ GAT GAG CTC GAC GGA GCT GAG AGA GAT G 3′ (SEQ ID NO:21). The PCR product was subcloned into Bluescript for sequencing. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence of the PCR product used are shown in FIG. 14.

Plasmid DNA Isolation, DNA Sequencing

The alkaline lysis method described by Sambrook et al., (Supra) was used to isolate plasmid DNA. The full length positive cDNA clone was sequenced using the dideoxy sequencing method. Sanger, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 74:5463-5467. The open reading frame was compiled and analyzed using BLAST search (GenBank, Bethesda, Md.) and alignment of the five most homologous proteins with the derived amino acid sequence of the encoded gene was achieved using a BCM Search Launcher: Multiple Sequence Alignments Pattern-Induced Multiple Alignment Method (See F. Carpet, Nuc. Acids Res., 16:10881-10890, (1987)). Functional motifs present in the derived amino acid sequence were identified by MultiFinder.

Expression of the Lipase as a Fusion Protein

Phagemid pBK-CMV containing the full length carnation senescence-induced lipase was digested with EcoRI and XbaI, which released the 1.53 Kb lipase fragment, which was subcloned into an EcoRI and XbaI digested fusion vector, pMalc (New England BioLabs). The pMalc vector containing the senescence-induced lipase, designated pMLip, was used to transform E. coli BL-21(DE3) cells.

The fusion protein encoded by pMLip, (fusion of the senescence-induced lipase and maltose binding protein) was isolated and purified as described in Sambrook, et al. (Supra) and Ausubel, et al., in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Green Publishing Associates and Wiley Interscience, New York, (1987), 16.4.1-16.4.3. Briefly, E. coli BL-21 cells transformed with pMLip were resuspended in 3 ml/g lysate buffer (50 mM Tris, pH 8.0, 100 mM NaCl and 1 mM EDTA) containing 8 μl of 50 mM PMSF and 80 μl of 20 mg/ml lysozyme per gram of cells and incubated for twenty minutes at room temperature with shaking. Then, 80 μl of 5% deoxycholic acid and 40 units of DNAse I were added and the cells were shaken at room temperature until the cells completely lysed. The cell debris was pelleted by centrifugation and resuspended in two volumes of lysate buffer plus 8 M urea and 0.1 mM PMSF. After one hour, seven volumes of buffer (50 mM KH₂PO₄, 1 mM EDTA and 50 mM NaCl, pH 7.0) were added to neutralize the suspension. The pH of the cell suspension was adjusted to pH 8.0 with HCl and the cell debris was pelleted. The supernatant was dialyzed against 20 mM Tris buffer, pH 8.0, 100 mM NaCl and 1 mM EDTA at 4° C. overnight. The maltose binding protein-lipase fusion product (Malip) was purified using an amylose column (available from New England BioLab). Fractions containing the fusion protein were cleaved with Protease Factor Xa (1 μg/100 μg fusion protein) to separate lipase from the fusion product. Both the fusion protein and the cleaved lipase were analyzed by SDS PAGE electrophoresis and Western blots. Maltose binding protein encoded by pMalc was used as a control. The results are shown in FIG. 3.

Northern Blot Hybridizations of Carnation RNA

Ten μg of total RNA isolated from flowers at stages I, II, III, IV were separated on 1% denatured formaldehyde agarose gels and immobilized on nylon membranes. The 1.53 Kb EcoRI-XbaI lipase fragment labelled with ³²P-dCTP using a random primer kit (Boehringer Mannheim) was used to probe the filters (7×10⁷ cpm). The filters were washed once with 1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at room temperature and three times with 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C. The filters were dried and exposed to X-ray film overnight at −70° C. The results are shown in FIG. 4.

Northern Blot Hybridization of Arabidopsis RNA

Ten μg of total RNA isolated from Arabidopsis leaves at weeks 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of growth were separated on 1% denatured formaldehyde agarose gels and immobilized on nylon membranes. The full-length Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase gene labelled with ³²P-dCTP using a random primer kit (Boehringer Mannheim) was used to probe the filters (7×10⁷ cpm). The filters were washed once with 1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at room temperature and three times with 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C. The filters were dried and exposed to X-ray'film overnight at −70° C.

Genomic DNA Isolation and Southern Blot Hybridizations

Freshly cut carnation petals were frozen in liquid nitrogen, ground to a powder and homogenized (2 ml/g) with extraction buffer (0.1 M Tris, pH 8.2, 50 mM EDTA, 0.1M NaCl, 2% SDS, and 0.1 mg/ml proteinase K) to isolate genomic DNA. The homogenized material was incubated at 37° C. for ten minutes and extracted with phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol (25:24:1). DNA was precipitated with NaOAc and isopropanol. The DNA pellet was dissolved in 1×TE, pH 8.0, re-extracted with phenol, reprecipitated and resuspended in 1×TE, pH 8.0.

Genomic DNA was digested with restriction endonucleases (Bam HI, XbaI, XhoI, EcoRI, HindIII and SalI) separately and the digested DNA was fractionated on a 1% agarose gel. The separated DNA was blotted onto nylon membranes and hybridizations were carried out using ³²P-dCTP-labelled 1.53 Kb lipase fragment. Hybridization and washing were carried out under high stringency conditions (68° C.)). 6×SSC, 2×Denhardt's reagent, 0.1% SDS) as well as low stringency conditions (42° C. for hybridization and washing) (6×SSC, 5×Denhardt's reagent, 0.1% SDS). The results are shown in FIG. 6. As can be seen, the lipase cDNA probe detects only one genomic fragment, indicating that the carnation lipase gene is a single copy gene.

Lipase Enzyme Assays

Lipolytic acyl hydrolase activity of the purified lipase fusion protein was assayed spectrophotometrically using p-nitrophenylpalmitate and soybean phospholipid as exogenous substrates. For maltose-binding protein alone, which served as a control, there was no detectable lipase activity with phospholipid as a substrate (Table 2). When p-nitrophenylpalmitate was used as a substrate with maltose-binding protein alone, a small amount of p-nitrophenol, the expected product of a lipase reaction, was detectable reflecting background levels of p-nitrophenol in the commercial preparation of p-nitrophenylpalmitate (Table 2). However, in the presence of purified lipase fusion protein, strong lipase activity manifested as the release of free fatty acids from phospholipid and p-nitrophenol from nitrophenylpalmitate was evident (Table 2).

TABLE 2 Spectrophotometric-measurements of the lipolytic acyl hydrolase activity of maltose-binding protein and lipase fusion protein expressed in E. coli and purified by amylose column chromatography. Two substrates, p-nitrophenylpalmitate and soybean phospholipid, were used. Activities are expressed in terms of product formed (p-nitrophenol from p-nitrophenylpalmitate and free fatty acid from soybean phospholipid). Means ± SE for n = 3 replications are shown. PRODUCT pNPP p-nitrophenol free fatty acid Protein Species (nmol/mg/min) (nmol/mg protein/min) Maltose-binding protein  0.71 ± 0.02 ND* Lipase fusion protein 12.01 ± 1.81 46.75 ± 1.24 *ND, not detectable

In other experiments, the enzymatic activity of the lipase fusion protein was assayed by gas chromatography, a technique that enables quantitation and identification of free fatty acids released from the substrate. Trilinolein, soybean phospholipid and dilinoleylphosphatidylcholine were used as substrates, and the deesterified fatty acids were purified by thin layer chromatography prior to being analyzed by gas chromatography. In keeping with the spectrophotometric assay (Table 2), there was no detectable lipase activity for maltose-binding protein alone with either soybean phospholipid or dilinoleylphosphatidylcholine, indicating that these substrates are essentially free of deesterified fatty acids (Table 3). However, when the lipase fusion protein was used as a source of enzyme, palmitic, stearic and linoleic acids were deesterified from the soybean phospholipid extract, and linoleic acid was deesterified from dilinoleylphosphatidylcholine (Table 3). In contrast to the phospholipid substrates, detectable levels of free linoleic acid were present in trilinolein, but the levels of free linoleic acid were significantly increased in the presence of lipase fusion protein indicating that the lipase is capable of deesterifying fatty acids from triacylglycerol as well (Table 3).

TABLE 3 GC measurements of the lipolytic acyl hydrolase activity of maltose-binding protein and lipase fusion protein expressed in E. coli and purified by amylose column chromatography Products (μg/mg protein)¹ Maltose- Lipase binding fusion Substrates Protein Protein Tri-linolein² Linoleic acid (18:2) 15.9 ± 0.75 33.4 ± 1.58 Soybean Palmitic acid (16:0)  ND⁴ 4.80 phospholipids³  Stearic acid (18:0) ND 9.68 Linoleic acid (18:2) ND 5.80 Dilinoleylphos- Linoleic acid (18:2) ND 20.0 phatydilcholine³ ¹Reaction was allowed to proceed for 2 hours, and was not continuously linear over this period. ²Means ± SE for n = 3 replications are shown ³Single experiment ⁴Not detectable

Lipase activity of the protein obtained by expression of the lipase cDNA in E. coli was measured in vivo as described in Tsuboi, et al., Infect. Immunol., 64:2936-2940 (1996); Wang, et al., Biotech., 9:741-746 (1995); and G. Sierra, J. Microbiol. and Serol., 23:15-22 (1957). A single colony of E. coli BL-21 cells transformed with pMal and another E. coli BL-21 colony transformed with pMLip were inoculated in basal salt medium (pH 7.0) containing (g/L): K₂HPO₄ (4.3), K₂PO₄ (3.4), (NH₄) SO₄(2.0), MgCl₂(0.16), MnCl₂.4H₂O (0.001), FeSO₄.7H₂O (0.0006), CaCl₂.2H₂O (0.026), and NaMoO₄.2H₂O (0.002). Substrate, Tween 40 (polyoxyethylenesorbitan monopalmitate) or Tween 60 (polyoxyethylenesorbitan monostearate), was added at a concentration of 1%. Growth of the bacterial cells at 37° C. with shaking was monitored by measuring the absorbance at 600 nm (FIG. 5). As can be seen in FIG. 5, E. coli cells transformed with pMLip were capable of growth in the Tween40/Tween60-supplemented basal medium, after an initial lag period. However, E. coli cells transformed with pMal did not grow in the Tween-supplemented medium.

Example 2 Ethylene Induction of Carnation Senescence-Induced Lipase Gene

Stage II carnation flowers and carnation cuttings were treated with 0.5 ppm ethylene in a sealed chamber for 15 hours. RNA was extracted from the ethylene treated Stage II flower petals and from leaves of the treated cutting, as well as from the flower and leaves of untreated carnation flowers and cuttings as described below.

Arabidopsis plants were treated with 50 μM ethephon in a sealed chamber for one, two or three days. RNA was extracted from the ethephon treated leaves of the plants as follows.

Flowers or leaves (1 flower or 5 g leaves) were ground in liquid nitrogen. The ground powder was mixed with 30 ml guanidinium buffer (4 M guanidinium isothiocyanate, 2.5 mM NaOAc pH 8.5i 0.8% β-mercaptoethanol). The mixture was filtered through four layers of cheesecloth and centrifuged at 10,000 g at 4° C. for 30 minutes. The supernatant was then subjected to cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation at 26,000 g for 20 hours. The pelleted RNA was rinsed with 75% ethanol, resuspended in 600 μl DEPC-treated water and the RNA precipitated at −70° C. with 0.75 ml 95% ethanol and 30 μl of 3M NaOAc. Ten μg of either carnation or Arabidopsis RNA were fractionated on a 1.2% denaturing formaldehyde agarose gel and transferred to a nylon membrane. Randomly primed ³²P-dCTP-labelled full length carnation lipase cDNA (SEQ ID NO:1) was used to probe the membrane containing carnation RNA at 42° C. overnight. Randomly primed ³²P-dCTP-labelled full length Arabidopsis lipase cDNA was used to probe the membrane containing Arabidopsis RNA at 42° C. overnight. The membranes were then washed once in 1×SSC containing 0.1% SDS at room temperature for 15 minutes and three times in 0.2×SSC containing 0.1% SDS at 65° C. for 15 minutes each. The membranes were exposed to x-ray film overnight at −70° C.

The results are shown in FIG. 9 (carnation) and FIG. 16 (Arabidopsis; lane 1, one day treatment; lane 2, two days treatment; lane 3, three days treatment). As can be seen, transcription of the carnation lipase and Arabidopsis lipase is induced in flowers and/or leaves by ethylene.

Example 3 Generation of Tomato PCR Product Using Carnation Lipase Primers

A partial length senescence-induced lipase sequence from tomato genomic DNA obtained from tomato leaves was generated by nested PCR using a pair of oligonucleotide primers designed from carnation senescence-induced lipase sequence. The 5′ primer is a 19-mer having the sequence, 5′-CTCTAGACTATGAGTGGGT (SEQ ID NO:7); the 3′ primer is an 18-mer having the sequence, CGACTGGCACAACCTCCA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:8). Polymerase chain reaction, using genomic tomato DNA was carried out as follows:

Reaction Components:

Genomic DNA 100 ng dNTP (10 mM each) 1 μl MgCl₂ (5 mM) +10x buffer 5 μl Primers 1 and 2 (20 μM each) 0.5 μl Taq DNA polymerase 1.25 U Reaction volume 50 μl

Reaction Parameters:

94° C. for 3 min

94° C./1 min, 48° C./1 min, 72° C./2 min, for 45 cycles

72° C. for 15 min.

The tomato partial length sequence obtained by PCR has the nucleotide sequence, SEQ ID NO:6 (FIG. 10) and a deduced amino acid sequence as set forth in FIG. 10. The partial length sequence contains an intron (FIG. 10, lower case letters) interspersed between two coding sequences. The tomato sequence contains the conserved lipase consensus sequence, ITFTGHSLGA (SEQ ID NO:3).

The tomato sequence has 53.4% sequence identity with the carnation senescence-induced lipase sequence and 43.5% sequence identity with Arabidopsis lipase, the latter of which has 44.3% sequence identity with the carnation sequence.

Example 4

Effect of Chilling on Cell Membrane Integrity in Tomato Plants

Tomato plants were chilled for 48 hours at 7° C. to 8° C. and then returned to room temperature for 24 hours. The effect of chilling on leaves was assessed by measuring the amount of electrolyte leakage (Mhos).

Specifically, 1 g of leaf tissue was cut into a 50 ml tube, quick-rinsed with distilled water, and 40 ml of deionized water added. The tubes were capped and rotated at room temperature for 24 hours. Conductivity (μMho) readings reflecting electrolyte leakage were taken at 6 and 24 hour intervals for control and chill-injured leaf tissue. It is clear from FIG. 11 that electrolyte leakage reflecting membrane damage is incurred during the rewarming period in chill injured leaf tissue.

Northern Blot Analysis of RNA Obtained from Chilled Tomato Leaves

Total RNA was isolated from the leaves 15 g of unchilled tomato plants (control) and chilled tomato plants that had been returned to room temperature for 0, 6 and 24 hours. RNA extraction was carriedout as described in Example 3. 10 μg of RNA from each sample was separated on a 1.2% denaturing formaldehyde gel and transferred to a nylon membrane. The membrane was probed with ³²P-dCTP-labelled probe (SEQ ID NO:3) and then washed under the same conditions as described in Example 3. The results are shown in FIG. 12.

As can be seen from the autoradiograph (FIG. 12B) tomato lipase gene expression is induced by chilling and the pattern of gene induction correlates with increased electrolyte leakage in chill injured leaves (FIG. 11).

Example 5 Generation of Transgenic Plants Expressing Senescence-Induced Lipase Gene in Antisense Orientation

Agrobacteria were transformed with the binary vector, pKYLX71, containing the full-length Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase gene expressed in antisense orientation under the regulation of double 35S promoter. Arabidopsis plants were transformed with these Agrobacteria by vacuum filtration, and transformed seeds from the resultant T₀ plants were selected on ampicillin.

T₁ plants were grown under greenhouse conditions, alongside wild-type Arabidopsis plants. Differences in leaf size, overall plant size, seed yield and leaf senescence between transgenic and wild-type plants were observed over time. Differences are illustrated in FIGS. 17, 18, 19, and 20.

Example 6 Reduced Senescence-Induced Lipase Production in Transgenic Plants

Total protein isolated from leaves of four week-old Arabidopsis wild-type and corresponding transgenic plants made as in example 5 was transferred to a nylon membrane and probed with antibody raised against the Arabidopsis senescence-induced lipase protein. The Western blot is shown in FIG. 21. (Lanes 1 and 2 were loaded with 9 μg of protein, and lanes 3 and 4 were loaded with 18 μg of protein). The expression of the senescence-induced lipase was reduced in transgenic plants. 

1: An isolated DNA molecule encoding senescence-induced lipase, wherein the DNA molecule hybridizes under low stringency conditions with SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 18 or both, or a functional derivative of the isolated DNA molecule which hybridizes with SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 18 or both. 2-53. (canceled) 